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Since President Grant Cornwell took the helm in 2015, Rollins has undergone a bold era of transformation, completing several major capital projects to advance strategic initiatives and enhance the student experience.

“President Cornwell provided thoughtful and steady leadership during an era of dramatic change in higher education,” says Don Davison, vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Grant has overseen a renewed commitment to the College’s mission.”

From Kathleen W. Rollins Hall to Lakeside Neighborhood to the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre, Cornwell has championed efforts that enrich student life, elevate the liberal arts experience, and foster a more inclusive, mission-driven campus. And within every new space, program, and initiative lies the commitment to a tradition of excellence in higher education—one that will reverberate for years to come.

Lakeside Neighborhood

Opened Fall 2020

Expanding Rollins’ residential capacity by 500 students, Lakeside blends the best of independent living with state-of-the-art amenities that foster health, wellness, and community. Students can take a group fitness class in the movement studio, then meet up with classmates for a study session at the Fox Lodge Grill before grabbing groceries at the C-Store on the way back to their rooms. They can collaborate on group projects in one of the co-working spaces and connect with advisors in the Center for Community & Connections about finding their fit on campus. Lakeside has redefined residential life as a launchpad for holistic student success.

Kathleen W. Rollins Hall

Opened Spring 2020

As the hub of applied learning and a centerpiece of President Cornwell’s legacy, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWRH) brings together 10 mission-driven programs under one roof, powering the hands-on, relationship-rich learning that gives Rollins students a real-world edge. Usage of the building has surged by 29 percent since 2022, and from career preparation to global learning, program participation has skyrocketed across the board. Whether connecting with nearly 200 employer partners, completing more than 38,000 service hours, or studying abroad through one of 90 international programs, students are seizing hands-on opportunities that shape them into powerful leaders ready to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

Rollins Museum of Art

Projected Completion: Spring 2027

Designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners, an architecture firm specializing in arts and education spaces, the new Rollins Museum of Art will elevate the College’s status as the only teaching museum in Orlando. Purpose-built for student and community engagement, the cubist-inspired building will house dedicated classrooms into which curators can bring original works. The 31,000-square-foot facility will provide additional space for the museum’s 6,000-piece collection alongside advanced storage, security, and climate controls to ensure both access and preservation.

Rollins Greenhouse

Opened Fall 2020

A living lab, Rollins’ rooftop greenhouse is a high-tech haven for hands-on learning and interdisciplinary discovery. The climate-controlled, fully automated facility has already engaged hundreds of students across disciplines, housing more than 800 plant species and supporting student and faculty research in everything from plant physiology to botanical illustration.

Skillman Dining Hall

Opened Fall 2019

Skillman Dining Hall’s floor-to-ceiling renovation has transformed the campus dining experience, increasing seating capacity to 367, adding diverse food stations, and embracing an open-concept layout. The all-you-can-eat model, driven by student needs and President Cornwell’s leadership, now features locally sourced ingredients, global cuisines, and a bevy of vegan/vegetarian, kosher, and allergen-free options. With nearly double the meal-plan participants since the switch, the upgraded dining hall reflects Rollins’ deep commitment to health, wellness, and student life, earning national recognition everywhere from The Princeton Review to The Daily Meal as one of the best college dining offerings in the country.

Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center

Opened Spring 2017

A space where academic innovation and community engagement thrive, the reimagined Hume House has tripled its capacity over the past eight years, serving 37 children who represent a full spectrum of abilities and engaging over 230 Rollins students in nearly 2,000 hours of hands-on learning. From observing through two-way mirrors to co-curating art exhibitions, undergrads gain real-world experience in child development while supporting an inclusive preschool environment dedicated to teaching, research, and service.

Alfond Inn Expansion

Opened Fall 2023

Not only has The Alfond Inn redefined luxury in Winter Park, but it has also expanded access to a Rollins education for our best and brightest students. A philanthropic powerhouse, the Inn has funded more than 80 full scholarships to date and contributed $10.8 million to the Alfond Scholars endowment. Thanks to the expansion—featuring 71 new guestrooms, a spa, fitness center, and more—the Inn is now projected to generate $20 million toward the endowment and $21 million toward athletic scholarships by 2033. In 2024 alone, the Inn sold 4,574 more rooms than the prior year, boosting total revenue by $4.1 million. With its Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, the Inn serves as a unique classroom for students while inviting visitors to invest in the future of Rollins.

Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre

Opened Fall 2023

Combining cutting-edge technologies with intimate spaces that foster hands-on learning, the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre has transformed the way theatre students learn, collaborate, and create. Dedicated spaces for everything from costume creation to lighting design have supercharged the creative process, setting the stage for bold experimentation and next-level performances. Since opening, the black-box Sally K. Albrecht Studio Theatre alone has hosted 39 performances, 60-plus improv shows, and a festival of student-written scripts. From scene work to stagecraft, the center has solidified Rollins’ leading role in performing arts education.

Tennis & Golf Center

Projected Completion: Fall 2025

Rollins’ 9,961-square-foot Tennis & Golf Center will offer a state-of-the-art home for the College’s championship-caliber tennis and golf programs, serving as both a powerful recruiting tool and a place for competition and camaraderie. Featuring reconfigured courts, top-tier golf simulators, locker rooms, a hospitality lounge, and dedicated training and equipment spaces, the facility is designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and celebrate Rollins’ legacy of excellence.

East End Neighborhood

Projected Completion: Fall 2026

The 139,000-square-foot East End Neighborhood will make room for 297 additional students on campus, ensuring that more Tars have access to the residential liberal arts experience so central to our mission. The vibrant new community will feature a 100-seat dining facility, flexible classroom space, lakeview study rooms, and tennis and sport courts. With a variety of room types, collaborative lounges—including one honoring Peg Cornwell—and a permanent home for Campus Safety, East End is another example of how we’re creating a campus for the future that integrates living, learning, and well-being.

Management & Executive Leadership Center

Projected Completion: Spring 2027

This 35,000-square-foot facility will serve as a dynamic hub for management and executive education, enterprise strategy, and civic leadership development. Connected to the new Rollins Museum of Art and located across from The Alfond Inn, the new center will feature globally connected classrooms, simulation and design labs, and flexible collaboration spaces that enable both deep learning and real-time application. At its heart will be a state-of-the-art forum with capacity for up to 300 participants, offering a unique venue for corporate training and leadership events.

Faculty & Staff Housing

Projected Completion: Fall 2026

Planned for the corner of Virginia and Welbourne avenues, Rollins’ new 30- unit housing facility will offer dedicated, affordable living space for faculty and staff just steps from campus. This investment strengthens the College’s ability to attract and retain top talent who will enhance student support and strengthen our residential learning community.

• People